Churh Era: Growth of the Church

Why Listen?

Illustration:

Story of Jason coming to get help for the first time, him returning a second and third time and finally coming back today.

Acts 6:1-15

Acts 6:1–15 ESV

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

We have just read from the inspire, inerrant, authoritative Word of God and I agree with Paul when he writes to his disciple Timothy that the Word of God is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness so that we may be complete and equipped for every good work.

What’s the Big Idea?

The church was growing. (v. 1)

The disciples looked for servants that were full of the Spirit and wisdom. (v. 3)

Out of the disciples selected to serve, two of them had significant impact.

What’s it Look Like?

Seeing transformation in a persons life. Don’t look for the perfect people, I look for the people who are in the process of transformation. It is these people who are following Christ that are demonstrating fruitfulness.

So What?

Where are you at in the process of transformation?

Would people who know you recognize you as being full of the Spirit or not?

What characteristics do people full of the Spirit possess?

What does Jesus Say?

Matthew 7:15–20 ESV

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.